An immediate expression of the Holy Father's spiritual closeness and fatherly encouragement

Last week, violent earthquakes and a tsunami devastated various areas of Indonesia – especially the island of Sulawesi – with a death toll already at 1,400, and thousands of injuries. Moreover, in these hours, the volcano of Mount Soputan, on the island of Sulawesi, began to erupt, threatening a population already afflicted by the earthquake and the tsunami.

Pope Francis, through the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, has sent in this first emergency phase a contribution of 100,000 dollars for the aid of the populations.

This sum is intended to be an immediate expression of the Holy Father’s spiritual closeness and fatherly encouragement. It will be shared, in collaboration with the Apostolic Nunciature, among the areas most affected by the catastrophe.

Pope Francis, before praying the midday Angelus on September 30, prayed for those affected, “for the deceased, unfortunately numerous, for the injured and for those who have lost their homes and their jobs. May the Lord console them and support the efforts of those who are trying to bring assistance.”

The contribution of this Dicastery, which accompanies the Holy Father’s prayer for the beloved Indonesian population, is part of the aid that is being activated throughout the Catholic Church and which, in addition to various Episcopal Conferences, involves numerous charitable organizations.